Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Former President Launches Lawsuit Against State for Unpaid Benefits. Noting that he cannot be denied his benefits on the basis of his political status.
Edgar Chagwa Lungu is a Zambian politician who served as the sixth president of Zambia from 26 January 2015 to 24 August 2021.
Lusaka – Friday 15th December 2023
The matter in which Zambia’s Sixth President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu has demanded that his pension and benefits be paid has been taken and filed in the Constitutional Court.
Former President Edgar Lungu has contended that his decision to particpiate in active politics should not be a basis to deny him his pensions and benefits as this would be an infringement of his fundamental constitutional right of expression, association and to hold opinions.
He has stated that the benefits accrued to him because he served as Zambia’s Republican President and not because of his current political status.
Earlier, the former President wrote to the Attorney General to have his pensions and benefits restored.
However, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha denied to so claiming that the Former President’s Benefits Act of 1993 and stated that the Act does not allow a former President to participate in active politics.
But President Lungu has stated that such a provision would be ultravires to the Constitution and would infringe on his rights and freedoms as a citizen.
Source: GrindStone Television Zambia
